Breast milk container with ultraviolet light and oxidation blocking layer

ABSTRACT

A container that is resistant to both natural and artificial ultraviolet light so as to protect vitamins in the contents from photo-degradation. Additionally, the container has an opaque aluminum layer that blocks the transmission of oxygen thus protecting its contents from oxidation.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a storage apparatus, more specifically a pouch for breast milk storage.

BACKGROUND

A mother's breast milk is the ideal source of crucial nutrients and immunological protection for infants. Recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics reaffirmed “its recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for six months, followed by continued breastfeeding for six months as complementary foods are introduced, with continuation of breastfeeding for one year or longer.” Unfortunately, as modern mothers well know, the logistics of breastfeeding often interfere with that natural practice so many mothers express and store their breast milk for later use. Furthermore, numerous studies over the past decade—as we will explore below—have shed light on an alarming fact: Conventional storage methods invariably lead to a degradation of milk's healthful, nutritive benefits. Worse, oxidation causes off-flavors and odors, which may prompt finicky babies to refuse expressed breast milk altogether.

At the root of the problem is the volatility of milk's biochemical composition. Certain nutrients are prone to breaking down when exposed to light radiation, while oxidation (oxygen dissolving in the milk) causes rancidity and off-flavors. Nutritional researchers don't mince words: “Light-exposure . . . causes destruction of light-sensitive vitamins (riboflavin and vitamins A and C),” writes a team studying the effects of packaging materials on milk. Other studies have found that anywhere from 50-70% of milk's Vitamin A can degrade after just a few days of light exposure. Another study, looking at the effect of filters on photo oxidation in milk found that “milk stored under all transparent filters . . . had significantly higher rancid flavor and rancid odor.” Sufficient vitamin A is required for healthy bone development at critical early life stages, while riboflavin ensures adequate energy is produced to fuel rapid growth.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In a further aspect a breast milk container includes a first sidewall having a first end and a second end. The breast milk container also includes a second sidewall having a first end and a second end, where the first sidewall and the second sidewall are a puncture resistant triple-layer freezer protection material including essentially of an inner layer of polyethylene material to provide a strong and flexible moisture barrier while in contact with breast milk, a middle layer of aluminum material to prevent oxidation that is 100% barrier to visible light and that is a 100% barrier to ultraviolet light to prevent destruction of vitamins by natural and artificial light and that has low gas permeability and provides protection aroma transmission, and an outer layer of polyethylene terephthalate that provides a mechanical barrier to mechanical invasion, flexibility and protection against gas permeability.

In another aspect, a breast milk container includes a first sidewall having a first end and a second end. The breast milk container also includes a second sidewall having a first end and a second end. The breast milk container also includes a leak-proof double zipper that conjoins the side at the first end of the sidewall. The breast milk container also includes a bottom side that conjoins the first sidewall and the second sidewall at the second end of the first sidewall and the second sidewall, where the first sidewall and the second sidewall and the bottom side are a puncture resistant triple-layer freezer protection material including essentially of an inner layer of polyethylene material to provide a strong and flexible moisture barrier while in contact with breast milk, a middle layer of aluminum material to prevent oxidation that is 100% barrier to visible light and that is a 100% barrier to ultraviolet light to prevent destruction of vitamins by natural and artificial light and that has low gas permeability and provides protection aroma transmission, and an outer layer of polyethylene terephthalate that provides a mechanical barrier to mechanical invasion, flexibility and protection against gas permeability.

In a further aspect, an apparatus includes a first sidewall having a first end and a second end. The apparatus also includes a second sidewall having a first end and a second end. The apparatus also includes a leak-proof double zipper that conjoins the side at the first end of the sidewall. The apparatus also includes a bottom side that conjoins the first sidewall and the second sidewall at the second end of the first sidewall and the second sidewall, where the first sidewall and the second sidewall and the bottom side are a puncture resistant triple-layer freezer protection material including essentially of: an inner layer of polyethylene material to provide a strong and flexible moisture barrier while in contact with breast milk, a middle layer of aluminum material to prevent oxidation that is 100% barrier to visible light and that is a 100% barrier to ultraviolet light to prevent destruction of vitamins by natural and artificial light and that has low gas permeability and provides protection aroma transmission, and an outer layer of polyethylene terephthalate that provides a mechanical barrier to mechanical invasion, flexibility and protection against gas permeability. The apparatus also includes where the first sidewall and the second sidewall have a mutual easy-tear notch above the leak-proof double zipper. The apparatus also includes where the puncture resistant triple-layer freezer protection material do not include bisphenol a (bpa) and phthalate and made of certified food safe materials.

These and other aspects of the disclosed subject matter, as well as additional novel features, will be apparent from the description provided herein. The intent of this summary is not to be a comprehensive description of the subject matter, but rather to provide a short overview of some of the subject matter's functionality. Other systems, methods, features and advantages here provided will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the accompanying figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages that are included within this description, be within the scope of any claims filed now or later.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the disclosed subject matter will be set forth in any claims that are filed later. The disclosed subject matter itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative implementation when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an isometric of a breast milk container, according to an implementation.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a cross-sectional view of the puncture resistant triple-layer freezer protection material of breast milk container in FIG. 1, according to an implementation.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an isometric of a breast milk container, according to an implementation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE IMPLEMENTATIONS

Reference now should be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numbers are used throughout the different figures to designate the same components.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular implementations only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising” or “includes” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an isometric of an breast milk container 100, according to an implementation. Breast milk container 100 includes a first sidewall 102 having a first end 104 and a second end 106. The breast milk container 100 also includes a second sidewall 108 having a first end 110 and a second end 112. The breast milk container also includes a leak-proof double zipper 114 that conjoins the first end 104 of the first sidewall 102 and the first end 110 of the second sidewall 108. The breast milk container 100 also includes a bottom side 116 that conjoins the first sidewall 102 and the second sidewall 108 at the second end 106 of the first sidewall 102 and the second end 112 of the second sidewall 108, where the first sidewall 102 and the second sidewall 108 and the bottom side 116 are a puncture resistant triple-layer freezer protection material 118. The triple-layer freezer protection material 118 does not include bisphenol a (bpa) and phthalate and made of certified food safe materials. The breast milk container 100 also includes an easy-tear notch 120 below the leak-proof double zipper 114 which is mutual to the first sidewall 102 and the second sidewall 108.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a cross-sectional view of the puncture resistant triple-layer freezer protection material 118 of breast milk container 100, according to an implementation. The puncture resistant triple-layer freezer protection material 118 is composed of three layers. The layers are composed of: an inner layer 202 of polyethylene material to provide a strong and flexible moisture barrier while in contact with breast milk, a middle layer 204 of aluminum material to prevent oxidation that is 100% barrier to visible light and that is a 100% barrier to ultraviolet light to prevent destruction of vitamins by natural and artificial light and that has low gas permeability and provides protection aroma transmission. The breast milk container also includes an outer layer 206 of polyethylene terephthalate that provides a mechanical barrier to mechanical invasion, flexibility and protection against gas permeability. In some embodiments of the, outer layer 206 of polyethylene terephthalate includes a reinforced side wall of a few millimeters thickness that prevents the seams from splitting, which typically missing from standard polyethylene storage bags.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an isometric view of a breast milk container 300 with a cutaway view of the middle layer, according to an implementation. Breast milk container 100 includes a first sidewall 102 having a first end 104 and a second end 106. The breast milk container 100 also includes a second sidewall 108 having a first end 110 and a second end 112. The breast milk container also includes a leak-proof double zipper 114 that conjoins the first end 104 of the first sidewall 102 and the first end 110 of the second sidewall 108. The breast milk container 100 also includes a bottom side 116 that conjoins the first sidewall 102 and the second sidewall 108 at the second end 106 of the first sidewall 102 and the second end 112 of the second sidewall 108, where the first sidewall 102 and the second sidewall 108 and the bottom side 116 are a puncture resistant triple-layer freezer protection material 118. The triple-layer freezer protection material 118 does not include bisphenol a (bpa) and phthalate and made of certified food safe materials. The breast milk container 100 includes an outer layer 206 of polyethylene terephthalate that provides a mechanical barrier to mechanical invasion, flexibility and protection against gas permeability. Under the outer layer 206 is the middle layer 204. Middle layer 204 is shown in the cutaway and is constructed of aluminum material to prevent oxidation that is 100% barrier to visible light and that is a 100% barrier to ultraviolet light to prevent destruction of vitamins by natural and artificial light and that has low gas permeability and provides protection aroma transmission. 

1. A breast milk container comprising; a first sidewall having a first end and a second end; a second sidewall having a first end and a second end a leak-proof double zipper that conjoins the side at the first end of the sidewall; and a bottom side that conjoins the first sidewall and the second sidewall at the second end of the first sidewall and the second sidewall, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall and the bottom side are a puncture resistant triple-layer freezer protection material consisting essentially of: an inner layer of polyethylene material to provide a strong and flexible moisture barrier while in contact with breast milk; a middle layer of aluminum material to prevent oxidation; and an outer layer of polyethylene terephthalate that is a material being a 100% visible light barrier and a 100% ultraviolet light barrier to prevent destruction of vitamins by natural and artificial light, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall have a mutual easy-tear notch above the leak-proof double zipper, wherein the puncture resistant triple-layer freezer protection material do not include Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalate and made of certified food safe materials.
 2. A breast milk container comprising; a first sidewall having a first end and a second end; a second sidewall having a first end and a second end a leak-proof double zipper that conjoins the side at the first end of the sidewall; and a bottom side that conjoins the first sidewall and the second sidewall at the second end of the first sidewall and the second sidewall, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall and the bottom side are a puncture resistant triple-layer freezer protection material consisting essentially of: an inner layer of polyethylene material to provide a strong and flexible moisture barrier while in contact with breast milk; a middle layer of aluminum material to prevent oxidation that is 100% barrier to visible light and that is a 100% barrier to ultraviolet light to prevent destruction of vitamins by natural and artificial light and that has low gas permeability and provides protection aroma transmission; and an outer layer of polyethylene terephthalate that provides a mechanical barrier to mechanical invasion, flexibility and protection against gas permeability.
 3. The breast milk container of claim 2, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall have a mutual easy-tear notch above the leak-proof double zipper.
 4. The breast milk container of claim 3, wherein the puncture resistant triple-layer freezer protection material does not include Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalate.
 5. The breast milk container of claim 3, wherein the puncture resistant triple-layer freezer protection material is made of certified food safe materials.
 6. A breast milk container comprising; a first sidewall having a first end and a second end; and a second sidewall having a first end and a second end, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall are a puncture resistant triple-layer freezer protection material consisting essentially of: an inner layer of polyethylene material to provide a strong and flexible moisture barrier while in contact with breast milk; a middle layer of aluminum material to prevent oxidation that is 100% barrier to visible light and that is a 100% barrier to ultraviolet light to prevent destruction of vitamins by natural and artificial light and that has low gas permeability and provides protection aroma transmission; and an outer layer of polyethylene terephthalate that provides a mechanical barrier to mechanical invasion, flexibility and protection against gas permeability.
 7. The breast milk container of claim 6 further comprising: a leak-proof double zipper that conjoins the side at the first end of the sidewall.
 8. The breast milk container of claim 7 further comprising: a bottom side that conjoins the first sidewall and the second sidewall at the second end of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.
 9. The breast milk container of claim 8, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall have a mutual easy-tear notch above the leak-proof double zipper.
 10. The breast milk container of claim 9, wherein the puncture resistant triple-layer freezer protection material do not include Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalate and made of certified food safe materials 